The heroic actions of an off-duty RCMP officer, Const. Anton Lorde, saved four individuals, including two teenagers and an infant, from a raging house fire in Sydney, N.S. Lorde, on his way home from work, noticed the billowing dark smoke and rushed to the scene on Mount Pleasant Street in the Whitney Pier neighborhood.
Upon arrival, Lorde saw the house engulfed in flames and initially believed it was unoccupied. However, he soon learned from a neighbor that children resided in the home. Without hesitation, Lorde began clearing the area for fire trucks.
After being guided to the backyard, Lorde located a boy inside the burning house through a window and urged him to evacuate. The boy’s father then appeared, and together with Lorde, they rescued the trapped family members, including a four-month-old baby.
Peter Magliaro, the homeowner, who was alerted by his niece about the fire, heroically rescued his children from the flames with the assistance of Lorde. The fire marshal’s office is investigating the incident, which Magliaro believes was intentionally set.
Despite being hailed as a hero, Lorde humbly stated that he was meant to be at the scene. The community lauded the joint efforts of Lorde, Magliaro, and others involved in the rescue. The fire department responded promptly to the incident, and investigations are ongoing.
Magliaro, now residing in temporary accommodation, plans to rebuild his home using personal savings. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and authorities are looking into the alleged arson claims made by Magliaro via social media.